THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Widespread use of
social media has led to falsehoods, hatred and enmity, said chief minister Pinarayi
Vijayan.
“We are ought to develop scientific temper and spirit of inquiry, but instead fall prey to false propaganda online. While vested interests tried to weaken our democracy through orchestrated campaigns, I believe that it is the duty of all of us, who have assumed office having sworn allegiance to the Indian constitution, to protect democratic and secular values. Only then can we ensure that freedom prevails,” he said while speaking at the inauguration of Festival of Democracy, a conclave organized as part of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the state legislative assembly.
He also expressed hope that such events would awaken a new sense of guardianship. “Indian democracy sustained on the foundation of secularism. And, without democracy, there is no freedom. The founding fathers of the Indian Republic had a clear idea of what we, as a nascent and modern nation, ought to be. And, they enshrined it in the preamble of our Constitution, leaving no room for doubt,” he observed.
Vijayan also reminded of our glorious tradition of imbibing different languages and cultures from around the world. “We were receptive to all streams of thought. That is how our cherished ideal of 'unity in diversity' emerged. It is this ideal, which makes Indian democracy flourish. In this era of 'post-truth politics', we ought to examine how our democracy is being affected, by such tendencies which seek to subdue facts by misusing emotions,” he added.
Pinarayi Vijayan
